When I started trying to be a bit more eco-friendly on my habits and purchases, it led me to list after list of recommended swaps. Let’s discuss some of the swaps I have tried and what I have liked and disliked. While I encourage everyone to give these a try, I think it is helpful to know what you are getting yourself into.
1. Swapped something with Nothing
As I worked to make my skin care and make-up routine more cruelty free (and then later more eco-friendly) I found the easiest way to do this was to not replace something if I didn’t need it. Examples of this include makeup primer, facial cleaning toner, and my eyebrow pencil. For me, they were things I was okay with going without. For you, it may be something different. I encourage you to consider if you even do need a replacement.
Pros: Save some cash, space in your home, and having to remember to repurchase.
2. Parchment Paper swapped with Silicon Mats
I was looking for a replacement to my parchment paper that could be reusable which is what lead me to the silicon mats.
Pros: no need to purchase more parchment paper at the grocery store. Less waste while cooking.
Cons: Do need to wipe down with soap and water once finished to ensure they stay in good and sanitary condition instead of just tossing it when finished.
What I Currently Use: Silcon Mats
3. Plastic Containers swapped with Jars and Glass containers.
The cheaper plastic containers that only lasts a year or two, I have been swapping out with mason jars and glass containers as it wears out.
Pros: Longer lasting. No worries about heating food up inside container.
Cons: When talking about mason jars specifically, they don’t stack like the plastic containers do. I haven’t yet figured out the best way to store these.
What I Currently Use: Snapware/Pyrex Glass Containers
4. Plastic Razor swapped to a Safety Razor.
About a year ago I ran out of my replacement heads for my shaver and had to purchase a new razor. I decided to go with a safety razor and I am very happy with this choice. The one I own has a pivoted head, just like my previous and once you learn to put in the blades, it is all really easy.
Pros: I received 50 blades with my initial purchase. I don’t know about you, but even with my razor using 3 blades, I won’t need to be buying new razor blades anytime soon.
Cons: They recommend taking out the blades after using to rinse and dry, so takes about 3 minutes to do that before I store it away. To me though, it is a few moments to care for something that I know will last me an extremely long time. The other thing that some people have said in reviews is that it does feel like the handle is a bit slippery even with the groves. I personally do not have that issues, but wanted to throw that out there.
What I Currently Use: The Leaf Razor in Chrome
5. Plastic Packaged Deodorant swapped to Non-Plastic Packaged Deodorant.
I have used Dove in the past, but didn’t want the plastic. I swapped to one that the container is made of cardboard. It works just as good as my previous type of deodorant.
Pros: Works great, I buy three in a pack and typically grab one of the season scents to mix it up.
Cons: Manual push up of the sticks through the carboard tube. Can get messy in the last few days of using them as you push up the last bit. It does cost a few more dollars than Dove. However, to be fair, I don’t know how long the sticks last in comparison to each other.
What I Currently Use: Native Plastic Free Deodorant in the scent Coconut Vanilla
6. Toothpaste Tubes swapped to Toothpaste Tabs.
Swapping from the plastic tubes to the toothpaste tabs was a bit bumpy. Instead of the plastic tube, they come in a glass jar that is refillable.
Pros: Easy to use, comes in a great looking packaging and no chance of a gross cap or leaking during travel. The refillable packages of tabs come in a paper envelope, so no unnecessary packaging.
Cons: It took some time to get used to the taste. My initial reaction was that it tasted like slightly mint flavored baking soda. Now, I don’t think twice about it when I go to brush my teeth. I will say, my husband still is not a fan of them even after 6 months of use, so he may switch back to something in a tube again until we find a tab that does not bother him as much. He also wants floride in his toothpaste, which is not in the tabs we currently use. Last of note, toothpaste has a lot of extra mint in it to entice people to brush their teeth. These tabs have just enough flavor to give a hint of flavor. You don’t have that overly minty fresh breath with the tabs. Overall, I am fine with them, but we may end up switching once I run out of product. I will just look to purchase the refill packs from a different company so I don’t get another jar for storing them.
What I Currently Use: Georganics Toothpaste Tabs in Spearmint
7. Plastic Jugs of Liquid Laundry Detergent swapped to Sheets of Detergent.
I use laundry detergent sheets that look like thick dryer sheets. With the sheets, you throw them in the load of laundry, nothing else needed.
Pros: No lugging the plastic jugs from the store and having to recycle them. No mess with the liquid detergent.
Cons: The cost can be the downside. I purchase the 64 load option for $28. Tide comes in a jug for 96 loads for 18.
What I Currently Use: Tru Earth Laundry Detergent Strips in Fresh Linen
8. Water and Pop Bottles swapped to Reusable Water Bottle.
Pretty common swap, but a good one.
Pros: Pick your favorite water bottle style, maybe one that keeps it colder longer if you prefer than a plastic water bottle may have.
Cons: You do need to keep an eye on it and make sure you take it with you. For my specific bottle I love, I have had the misfortune of being incredibly clumsy, so my bottle’s bottom did get dinged up a bit, but with the silicon boot I purchased to protect the bottom, that has helped a lot. (Thanks for the idea on that one Dad! He is so smart.)
What I Currently Use: 20oz Klean Kanteen in Brush Steel with a Hydro Flask Small Bottle Boot (it fits the Klean Kanteen bottles as well)
Minimalism Tip:
Most efficient method for me is to have only one water bottle. It is my favorite and I don’t want to lose it, so I always double check I have it. Not loads of reusable bottles taking up space and this way I ensure I get proper use out of it.
Camping Tip:
For camping, we bring a big water dispenser cooler for water so no reusable jugs needed when we are away from fresh water for an extended amount of time.
9. Liquid Dishwashing Soap to Castile Soap Bars
Before I switched to Castile soap bars I was purchasing the large Dawn refill bottles that I would refill my Dawn bottle I got back in college. This option was a little better than repurchasing regular sized bottles, but I wanted to move away from plastic all together.
Pros: No plastic. Works just as well as Dawn. I believe the cost is very comparative. I also think I waste way less soap because I know I was pretty heavy handed when I used Dawn.
Cons: I had mine sitting directly on the sink, but it did get messy from soap residue. I recently put it on a soap dish, which does help keep it a bit cleaner, so I do recommend a soap dish with drainage holes. Once I use it, it seems to work best if I give it a rinse before it dries that way any food residue from my bristle brush does not dry onto the bar of soap making it look gross.
What I Currently Use: Meliora Castile Soap Bar in Unscented with a soap dish with drainage holes.
10. Cascade Dishwasher Pods to Dropps Dishwasher Pods
Main reason I did this switch was to ditch the plastic container each time I needed more pods.
Pros: Work just as well as the Cascade pods in my opinion. Come in a cardboard box, which I transfer into a sealed container to ensure no water gets onto them so they do not stick together.
Cons: More expensive. I used to buy Cascade 90 pods for $15 at Costco. Now I spend $24 on 64 loads.
What I Currently Use: Dropps Dishwasher Pods in Unscented
Conclusion
For me, the pros outweigh the cons on all of these swaps. I am willing to put up with some slight inconveniences to purchase from companies that are working hard to provide more environmentally friendly options. A strong recommendation I have is not to make all these changes at once. It can be overwhelming to you and anyone you share a space with if it affects them too. I slowly incorporated these and it made it much less daunting. What are some eco-friendly swaps you want to make or have made?
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